Glass storing means



Feb. 22, 1955 G. N. FISHER GLASS STORING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 6, 1952 J 0 7zm/ waaa yz' dew J wm u Feb. 22, 1955 HSHER 2,702,648

GLASS STORING MEANS Filed May 6, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent fitice 2,702,648 Patented Feb. 22, 1955 GLASS STORING MEANS Guy Norwood Fisher, Wilmette, Ill., assignor to Kraft Foods Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Application May 6, 1952, Serial No. 286,363

1 Claim. (Cl. 21726.5)

The present invention relates generally to the handling of containers, and more particularly relates to the provision of more eificient means for handling and packaging glass jars.

After the manufacture of glass jars for commercial purposes, it has been the customary practice to package the finished jars, as they are conveyed from the jarmaking machine, in shipping containers comprising sectionalized boxes. The packaged jars may then be stored or sent to a user. The user removes the jars from the shipping container and feeds them into a dispensing machine wherein the jars are filled with any desired material, such as processed cheese, and sealed.

Upon leaving the dispensing machine, the jars are again placed in shipping containers, which may be the original containers, for further shipment or storage. Ultimately the jars are again individually handled by the retailer when the jars are again removed from the shipping container for sale. It is quite apparent that in the foregoing procedure, which is typical of the handling of millions of jars, each jar is individually handled several times, thereby substantially increasing the possibility of damage or breakage.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide means for more expeditiously handling glass jars with minimum possibility of damage. This and other objects of the invention are accomplished through provision of an inexpensive packaging unit which functions both as a jar pick-up device and as a package element, the unit being adapted to pick up one or more jars at a time and, in addition, packaging the jars in such a manner as to assure against jar damage and breakage during shipment. Moreover, the packaging unit may also comprise the major part of an economical sales package for several jars.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be made clear by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a shipping box containing a number of packaging units embodying features of the invention, each unit protectively surrounding a plurality of jars;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of packaging units, the view particularly illustrating the manner in which they can be nested for ease of storing;

Figure 3 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a packaging unit of the type shown in Figure l, the unit being shown folded around capped jars;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the packaging unit of the invention, taken along line 44 in Figure 3, the associated jar being shown in elevation to more clearly illustrate the relation of the unit thereto;

Figure 5 is an end view of the packaging unit which is shown folded about a capped jar;

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a modification of the invention wherein the packaging unit comprises a part of a sales package, the package being shown prior to sealing;

Figure 7 is a view, similar to Figure 6, showing a sealed sales package;

Figure 8 is an end elevational view illustrating another modification of the invention wherein the glass jar is inverted with respect to the position shown in Figures 3 to 7;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 7, the sales package being inverted and the jars disposed relative to the packaging unit as shown in Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 10-10 in Figure 8.

As shown in the drawings, the combination jar pick up device and package element of the present invention comprises a semi-rigid piece 11 which is preferably fabricated from a paper board having a non-smooth or roughened surface, such as egg carton board, or similar material. The piece 11 is generally rectangular in shape and in order to facilitate its use as a combination jar pick-up device and package element it is scored along score lines 12 (Figure 2) so that it may be folded as shown in Figures 3 to 5 in engaging relation with a plurality of aligned jars or containers 13. In order to more firmly grasp the jars 13 and at the same time separate the jars, one from the other, the piece 11 is molded, stamped, or otherwise formed to provide a series of spaced, jar receiving recesses 13a. The combination jar pick up device and package element may be manipulated to pick up a plurality of jars at one time so as to transport them, as desired, and it may also form a portion of a package 14 (Figure 1) containing a number of such packaging units or it may be employed in a unitary package 15, as shown in Figure 7. The particular structural features of the combination unit which permit the simultaneous engagement of a number of jars so that they may be picked up at one time also provide a cushion about the jars, and consequently, the combination unit is highly desirable and efficient.

In the embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated in the drawings, the combination jar pick-up device and packaging element is adapted particularly for use with generally cylindrical glass jars 13, having a slightly tapered bottom portion 17, which may be capped with a relatively thin lid 18. The lid is crimped onto the jar, as by means of a conventional capping machine. Though the drawings illustrate a combination unit particularly adapted for use with the described jar, the unit may be suitably modified to accommodate jars of other shapes in accordance with the principles of the invention.

The generally rectangular piece 12 of the combination jar pick-up device and packaging element is formed to provide an elongated flat central section 19, having a width equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of the lid 18, and a pair of outer sections 20 which are contiguous with the central section 19, these sections being similarly formed to provide the jar receiving recesses 13a mentioned above. More particularly, the outer sections 20 have a series of uniformly spaced transverse ridges 22 formed therein which extend transversely to the central section 19 and which define the jar receiving recesses 13a. The transverse edges of the ridges 22 are shaped to conform to the contour of the jars 13 so that the jars 13 may be firmly engaged and held in spaced relation.

At the base of each recess 130, there is provided a transversely extending cushioning or butter rib 24 for protecting the glass jar from shock or pressure applied to the side of the unit 11. The buffer ribs 24 are formed so as to be substantially coextensive with the length of the recesses 13a to provide maximum jar protection, but preferably these ribs terminate short of the outer end of the recess 13a.

A narrow, longitudinally extending rib 25 is disposed intermediate the ridges 22 and adjacent the outer end of each recess 13a. In order to assist in carrying the jar in the combination unit, the rib is positioned to engage the tapered portion 17 of the jar 13 (Figure 4) and is proportioned to engage this portion of the jar. In addition to assisting in the holding of the jars in the combina tion unit when in jar engaging relation, this rib 25 also provides cushioning and protection for the jars.

The ridges 22 which define the jar receiving recesses 13a are each preferably slightly shorter than the width of the outer sections 20 of the piece 11 and terminate in oppositely facing sloping end surfaces 27 and 28, respectively. As before indicated and for convenience, the longitudinal edges of the central section 19 are scored along score lines 29 to readily permit folding of the outer sections 20 toward each other to form a jaw which may be manipulated so as to perform the pick-up function of the combination jar pick-up device and package element.

' The ribs 24 and 25 not only function to protect the jars 13 against breakage but, in addition, provide rigidity 'to the outer sections 20 of the combination unit. More particularly, the transversely extending ribs 24 coact with 'the ridges 22 so that the ribs 25 are brought into positive engagement with the tapered sides 17 of the jars 13 and the ridges 22 are substantially uniformly pressed against the sides of the jars, which uniformity of pressure is particularly desirable when the combination unit is employed as a pick-up device in order to hold the jars in the combination unit. Rigidity of the outer sections 20in the longitudinal direction is made possible by the longitudinally extending ribs 25 and, as a result, the combination unit engages each jar of the series substantially uniformly. The effect of the ribs 24 and 25 in imparting stiflness to the plied force because, if the piece 11 is too rigid, it may not effectively cushion the jars 13 and assure maximum protection against jar breakage. Accordingly, the ribs 24 and 25 permit the use of a semirigid material so as to provide assurance against jar breakage and also permit effective functioning of thecombination unit as a pick-up device.

When the jars 13 are filled, it may be somewhat difiicult to hold the jars in the combination jar pick-up and package element when they are picked up and this is particularly the case when the jars contain a relatively heavy material. ceiving recesses 30 are formed in the transversely extending ridges 22 which are formed in the transversely extending ridges 22 which define the jar receiving recesses 13a. The jar-cap receiving recesses 30 are disposed at the inner ends of the ridges, as shown in Figure 2, and are positioned and proportioned to lockingly engage the edges of the caps 18 of the jars 13 when the outer sections 20 of the piece 11 are folded downwardly in the manner shown in Figure 6.

The combination jar pick-up device and package element units are formed to permit nesting with one another when they are laid flat as is illustrated in Figure 2. This is accomplished by forming the contours of the piece 11 so that the thickness of the material from which it is made is substantially uniform throughout and, consequently, the various ridges and ribs formed in the pieces 11 leave oppositely facing hollows of proper size for mating with the ridges and ribs of an underlying combination unit. This nesting feature of the combination units readily permits stacking of the units and furthermore, this feature permits compact storage of the units. A

In use, one of the combination pick-up devices and package elements may be selected from a convenient stack and the outer sections 20 folded along the score lines 29 to provide a pick-up device which may be manipulated to pick up a row of jars, such as the jars leaving a jar-making machine. 'When properly manipulated, the fiat central section 19 of the combination unit may be placed over the upper end of a series of the jars 13 and the sides of the jars engaged by the outer sections 20, the jars nesting in the jar receiving recesses 13a, as seen in Figure 3. In the handling of empty glass jars 13, the coaction of the pressure of the ridges 22 against the side of the jars and engagement of the ribs 25 with the tapered sides 17 of the jars 13 provides sufiicient force to maintain the empty jars in the unit.

After the combination unit has been properly manipulated'to pick up the jars, the unit containing the jars 13 may then be placed in a suitable carton 31, such as that shown in Figure l, for shipment to the user. The combination unit thus becomes a package element which positively assures against the breakage of the jars in shipment, the combination unit cushioning the jars and separating them from one another. Accordingly, when the combination unit of the invention is employed, additional cushioning means in the shipping carton 30 is not necessary.

After the carton 31, containing glass jars protected by combination unit both transversely to and longitudinally In order to overcome this difficulty, jar-cap rethe combination units functioning as package elements, has reached a manufacturer-user who wishes to fill the jars with a prdouct, the glass jars may be readily removed from the carton by again using the combination units as a pick-up device for grasping the jars. The jars may be deposited in a row for feeding to. a suitable jar filling machine where they are filled, capped and discharged. During filling, the-combination units 11 may be compactly stacked, in the manner shown in Figure 2, and removed to the discharge end of the machine for further use;

The filled and capped jars discharged from the filling machine may be taken from the machine by the combination units, which once again function as pick-up devices, and placed in the carton 31 for reshipment. When the capped jars 13 are picked up by the combination unit of the invention, the lids 18 seat in the recesses 30 so that the jars are positively locked and will not drop out even though the jars are filled with heavy material. At the same time, the jars may be easily released from the com- I bination units, when desired, by suitable manipulation as by causing the outer sections 20 to spread out.

In addition to being used in the foregoing manner, the combination unit, as previously pointed out, may also comprise a major portion of an economical package unit 15 and such a package is shown in Figures 6 and 7 wherein the combination unit, containing jars 13, is placed on a fiat strip 32, which may be made of paper board, having portions or flaps 33 which extend outwardly of the longitudinal edges of the combination unit. The flaps 33 are folded against and glued to the outer sections 20 of the combination unit to form a container therewith. The strip 32 is preferably scored to facilitate folding of the flaps 33 and glue lines 34 are applied to the flaps for gluing the flaps to the outer sections 20. The resulting package is economical and provides a highly satisfactory package unit of pleasing appearance. In the latter connection, the strip 32 may be high grade board which may be printed with suitable designs or advertising matter.

In Figures 6 and 7.'the jars 13 are shown in the package unit 15 with the lid end of the jars adjacent the central section 19 of the combination unit but it will be understood that the jars 13 may be inverted in the pack age unit 15 and such positioning of the jars 13 is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings. When the jars 13 are so disposed in the package unit 15, the bottom of the jar 13 rests on the central section 19 of the coinbination unit and the sides of the jar are engaged by the ridges 22 of the outer sections 20, as in the previous instances. When assembling the package unit 15 with the jar bottoms adjacent the central section 19 of the combination unit, the jars 13 may be pushed onto the strip 32 and a combination unit fitted over the jars. On the other hand, the filled jars 13 may be picked up in their upright position by a combination unit of the invention and placed on the central section 19 of another combination unit in the position shown in Figure 8, whereupon the strip 32 may be applied and the flaps 33 glued to provide the package unit. Of course, if the jars 13 leave the jar filling machine with their bottom ends up, the combination unit may be used to pick up the jars 13 and invert them for inspection purposes. This is useful when it is desirable to inspect the tops 18 of the glass jars after they have been removed from the jar filling machine.

Independent of the position of the jars 13 relative to the combination unit, a complete package 15 may be formed by placing the strip 32 across the longitudinal edges of the combination unit so that the flaps 33 extend outwardly of these edges of the unit, and then folding the flaps 33 against the transverse ribs 24 formed on the outer sections 20 of the unit whereupon the flaps are secured to the ribs 24 as by gluing.

In the foregoing, I have described a combination jar pick-up device and packaging element which has many advantages in the handling and packaging of containers, particularly glass jars. The unit may be simply and economically fabricated. Furthermore, the combination unit may be stacked and stored in minimum space. However, the most important feature of my invention is probably the facility with which a large number of jars may be handled, packaged, and shipped with little possibility of damage in each of these steps.

Various of the features of this invention which are believed to be new, are set forth in the following claim.

I claim: c

A device useable for picking up jars and as a package element, the device being adapted for handling generally cylindrical jars having caps which extend outwardly from the periphery of the jars comprising a semi-rigid piece having a flat, elongated central section and having a pair of contiguous outer sections hingedly connected to said central section along the longitudinal edges thereof, said central section having a transverse dimension which closely approximates the outer diameter of the top of the jars, said outer sections having formed therein a plurality of spaced, transversely and upwardly extending ridges having closed ends and inwardly curved sides, the ends being inclined outwardly and downwardly, with their inner ends terminating in the plane of the outer sections adjacent the hinged connections thereof, and forming jar receiving recesses therebetween, said ridges in the respective outer sections being oppositely disposed when said outer sections are folded into face to face relation, said recesses having transversely extending ribs formed therein which extend downwardly from said recesses, said outer sections having longitudinally extending ribs formed therein which are disposed adjacent the outer end of said recesses, said longitudinally extending ribs being positioned and proportioned to engage jars when the outer sections are folded into face to face relation, said transversely extending and longitudinally extending ribs reinforcing said outer sections, said ridges having jar cap receiving recesses formed therein, said jar cap receiving recesses being disposed adja cent said central section and positioned and proportioned to lock with a jar cap when said outer sections are folded into face to face relation, said ribs and recesses being formed so as to provide contours of opposite shapes on opposite sides of said outer sections whereby the combination jar pick-up device and package element may be compactly stacked, said recesses having transversely extending sides adjacent to and extending away from said central section a distance approximating the distance from the top of the cap to the underside of the cap and having transversely extending sides which extend into said recesses a distance approximating the overhang of the cap from the jar.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 142,129 Shepard Aug. 14, 1945 1,121,232 Davis Dec. 15, 1914 1,906,639 Sherman May 2, 1933 1,969,802 Koppelman Aug. 14, 1934 2,088,603 Kronenberger Aug. 3, 1937 2,564,729 Shepard Aug. 21, 1951 

